Pacific Winds 20231116

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Nov 15, 2023

Alliances

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Former governor says Section 902 talks are not for negotiating.
Marianas Variety 20231116
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/former-governor-says-section-902-talks-are-not-for-negotiating/article_3a53086c-83a3-11ee-8abb-c3f8cd72cc2f.html

Taiwan and Marshall Islands boost education cooperation, exchange
Taiwan News 20231115
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040193

Operation Christmas Drop 2023: Pacific Air Forces preparing to deliver humanitarian assistance
USAF PacAF 20231114
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3588829/operation-christmas-drop-2023-pacific-air-forces-preparing-to-deliver-humanitar/

Island Waves

Mapping PRC Companies in the Pacific
ANU 20231115
https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/305652

The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union: Tuvaluan values or Australian interests?
DevPolicy 20231115
https://devpolicy.org/the-australia-tuvalu-falepili-union-tuvaluan-values-or-australian-interests-20231115/

Its population is just 11,000 but for Australia, this island nation is now a key Pacific partner
Brisbane Times 20231115
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/oceania/its-population-is-just-11-000-but-for-australia-this-island-nation-is-now-a-key-pacific-partner-20231114-p5ejw8.html

Pacific Partnership 2023 Humanitarian Mission Expanding in the Western Pacific
USNI 20231114
https://news.usni.org/2023/11/14/pacific-partnership-2023-humanitarian-mission-expanding-in-the-western-pacific

Pentagon Lays Out Red Hill Transition Plan from Joint Task Force to Navy
USNI 20231114
https://news.usni.org/2023/11/14/pentagon-lays-out-red-hill-transition-plan-from-joint-task-force-to-navy

Taiwan + SCS

Republican senators urge Biden not to give in on Taiwan in Xi meeting
CNA (TW) 20231115
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202311150005

Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation
Taiwan Ndews 20231115
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040190

PLA Navy's newly commissioned Type 055 large destroyer holds drills in South China Sea
GT 20231115
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202311/1301908.shtml

U.S., Philippines finalize intel-sharing pact to counter China
Nikkei 20231116
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/U.S.-Philippines-finalize-intel-sharing-pact-to-counter-China

Manila lacks foresight as it takes sides
China Military 20231115
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16266854.html

ASEAN defense chiefs to meet as Philippines-China spat fuels tension
Nikkei 20231115
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/ASEAN-defense-chiefs-to-meet-as-Philippines-China-spat-fuels-tension

The Philippines in a lonely fight with China
Asia TImes 20231115
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/the-philippines-in-a-lonely-fight-with-china/

Capabilities

U.S. approves possible sale of SM-6 missile interceptors to S. Korea amid N. Korea threats
Yonhap 20231115
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231115001200315

N. Korea tests newly developed solid-fuel engines for new-type IRBM: KCNA
Yonhap 20231115
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231115000452315?section=news

North Korea eyes surprise attack ability with missile engine test
Japan Times 20231115
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/11/15/japan/politics/north-korea-irbm-solid-fuel-engine/

More Combat Logistics Force Ships? Yes Please!
Center for Maritime Security 20231114
https://centerformaritimestrategy.org/publications/more-combat-logistics-force-ships-yes-please/

Shifting perspectives: Reframe readiness with a focus on availability
Defense News 20231114
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/11/14/shifting-perspectives-reframe-readiness-with-a-focus-on-availability/

CRS Report to Congress on Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding
USNI 29231115
https://news.usni.org/2023/11/15/report-to-congress-on-navy-force-structure-and-shipbuilding-7

Defence innovation: a view from Indo-Pacific 2023
ASPI 20231115
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/defence-innovation-a-view-from-indo-pacific-2023/

U.S. Marines sets up littoral unit in Okinawa for islands defense
Kyodo 20231115
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/11/6ca78816e719-us-marines-sets-up-littoral-unit-in-okinawa-for-islands-defense.html
USMC Release: https://www.marines.mil/News/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Display/Article/3588984/12th-marine-regiment-redesignates-to-12th-marine-littoral-regiment/

Japan's plan to build two destroyers violates exclusively defense-oriented policy
China Military 20231115
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16266938.html

Navy Looks To Arm F-35 With Four New Missiles, Including Hellfire
The Drive 20231114
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/navy-looks-to-equip-f-35-with-four-new-missiles-including-hellfire

Enhancing the RAN surface fleet: the return of the arsenal ship?
ASPI 20231115
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/enhancing-the-ran-surface-fleet-the-return-of-the-arsenal-ship/

Private Aerial Refueling Tankers Are Now Gassing Up USAF Fighters
The Drive 20231114
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/private-aerial-refueling-tankers-are-now-gassing-up-usaf-fighters

Army Counter Drone System Pops Out Of A Shipping Container
The Drive 20231115
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/army-counter-drone-system-pops-out-of-a-shipping-container

Countering Unmanned Aerial System Attacks a Priority
US DoD 20231114
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3588869/countering-unmanned-aerial-system-attacks-a-priority/

The New Nuclear Age
Scientific American 2023 December
https://www.scientificamerican.com/report/the-new-nuclear-age/

Report on Deterrence in a World of Nuclear Multipolarity
US DoS Oct 20203
https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ISAB-Report-on-Deterrence-in-a-World-of-Nuclear-Multipolarity_Final-Accessible.pdf

White House asks Congress to split ‘new space’ authority between Commerce, Transportation
Breaking Defense 20231115
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/white-house-asks-congress-to-split-new-space-authority-between-commerce-transportation/

Power

Stop Calling China a ‘Revisionist Power’
The Diplomat 20231114
https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/stop-calling-china-a-revisionist-power/

China is not ready for a showdown with the US
Think China 20231114
https://www.thinkchina.sg/china-not-ready-showdown-us

How Albanese’s visit helped legitimise Washington’s ambitious new foreign policy agenda
USSC 20231115
https://www.ussc.edu.au/strength-in-numbers-how-albanese-s-visit-helped-legitimise-washington-s-ambitious-new-foreign-policy-agenda

Exercises

U.S. set to deploy B-52 bomber for joint drills with S. Korea: sources
Yonhap 20231115
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231115002400315?section=news

NZDF personnel taking part in US-led war games in Hawaii
1News 20231113
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/13/nzdf-personnel-taking-part-in-us-led-war-games-in-hawaii/

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